Laser Light Engines

Laser Light Engines (LLE), founded in 2008 by Bill Beck, operated as a designer and manufacturer of laser-driven light sources for high-performance projection systems. The company aimed to replace traditional high-pressure gas discharge lamps in projectors with its proprietary laser illumination technology. This technology was developed to produce significantly brighter and sharper images while consuming less energy and lowering operational costs.

The company's business model centered on supplying its laser illumination systems as OEM components for integration into new projection systems and as retrofits for existing installations worldwide. LLE's primary target market was the digital cinema industry, especially for 3D movie presentations which require higher brightness levels. Beyond cinema, the company also targeted other high-performance sectors, including premium large venues, rental and staging, theme park attractions, and digital signage. In a strategic expansion, LLE later entered the precision 3D metrology market, shipping its despeckled green laser modules to a customer in that field.

LLE's core product was a universal RGB (Red/Green/Blue) laser engine. A key feature was its despeckling technology, particularly for the green laser, which addressed a common visual artifact in laser projection. The systems were designed for 'plug and play' compatibility, facilitating easier upgrades for a wide range of projectors. The company's technology offered benefits such as constant brightness over the product's lifetime, superior image quality with brilliant colors, and a more immersive 3D experience. The funding rounds, including a Series B in 2010 and another significant round in 2012, were allocated to accelerate product development, commercialization, and expand its engineering and marketing operations. Over its operational period, the company raised a total of $33.6M. One notable strategic partnership was with IMAX, which included an equity investment and a collaborative development agreement for a custom laser engine for IMAX's digital projection systems. The company eventually went out of business, with records indicating this status as of August 2014.

Keywords: laser illumination, digital projection, digital cinema, 3D cinema, projector light source, OEM laser components, RGB laser engine, despeckling technology, high brightness projection, laser retrofit, performance projection, large venue displays, rental and staging lighting, theme park attraction technology, digital signage illumination, 3D metrology laser, Bill Beck, IMAX partnership, venture funded, photonics